It’s not everyday you find a Newfoundland and Labradorian in Los Angeles, California, but when you do you might wonder what exactly they’re up to! The first thought that would come to mind for many would be that perhaps they’ve been asked to partake in one of the latest smash-hit television shows or big-shot production movies. The second would be perhaps they’ve went on a vacation to see those historical glitz-and-glam hotspots everyones always raved about if they’re a cinema buff. Well, you’re getting warm!

For TaDa! Events’ Terri Andrews (Director, La Cage – The Birdcage), Amy Edwards (Costume Design, La Cage – The Birdcage) and Pamela Pittman (Choreographer, La Cage – The Birdcage)  our story brings us to Los Angeles only a few months ago as they set their sights on a very large, seldom thought about item in the production world (or even in general terms)… and it all starts with 150 yards of fuchsia pink fabric. Intrigued yet? Things are about to get interesting, so hold onto your theatre seats (or buy a ticket to see La Cage – The Birdcage *tap button below* and enjoy a seat… wink… wink).

About La Cage (The Birdcage):

To get the full-scoop on how this tale is tailored out (pun intended for our writer friends), we catch up with the shows Amy Edwards as she takes us on a journey best told from her own account. Realistically, no one could tell it better and paraphrasing the adventure would cheapen a comedic experience.

Interviewer:
“Terri’s mentioned to me you’ve went with her to L.A. to acquire some material and you’ve had quite the story to go along with this regarding your experience. Can you tell me this story? Where did you go to get it? What type of material was purchased? How did you get it back to Canada? We hear there was a unique ‘bag search?”

Amy Edwards (Costume Design, La Cage – The Birdcage)

Amy Edwards:
“Terri, Pamela, and I travelled to L.A. last July to see a production of La Cage Aux Folles and to check out what was available in clothing and fabrics for costumes. We found a few addresses for fabric stores online and ventured out to find them. Well, we had no idea where we were about to find ourselves or what we would see. We found the stores that we looked up, however we didn’t realize that the one store would turn into another, and another, and another.

Photo location: Long Beach Playhouse Theatre

Photo location: Hamburger Mary’s

When we turned around the corner and there was another block and another – it was all fabric, feathers, embellishments and anything you could dream of to create endless creations! We were in awe and engulfed in a designers dream world! We found so many things and we wanted it all!!!! We did get some incredible sequins fabrics for costumes and a magnificent fabric that is being transformed into the most amazing pink curtain for La Cage.

In photo (left to right): Pamela Pittman (choreographer), Amy Edwards (costume design), Terri Andrews (director)

We may have gotten a little carried away and when we got it all into the car we realized we may need another suitcase or 2 (lol). We were successful in getting the fabric strategically folded and placed in our luggage and we were confident that we were within weight and baggage per person which we were. I unfortunately on the way through customs got flagged and put in a different line and that line ended up in a room in which they told me they would be pulling my baggage and bringing it there to search.

Terri had gotten through customs fine when she then called me wondering where I had ended up. Thinking I would miss my flight home from Toronto, I just sat there and waited knowing I wasn’t in control of the situation. Meanwhile I knew I didn’t have anything over and above what I was allowed or anything I shouldn’t be bringing across the border.  After two more customs agents asked me why I was in the United States and what I was bringing home, etc. I waited patiently and my bags arrived. Soon the next customs agent asked what I was in the United States for and what I was bringing home. He looked at me confused and asked “ma’am do you have any food or liquids in your luggage?” I responded no. With a blank look he said ma’am you can take your luggage and go through the exit door, place your luggage on the conveyor belt and go through security to get to my gate. Lucky enough our flight was delayed by 3-hours and I made it back to Terri. Phew!! An adventure for sure.

TaDa! Events’ Terri Andrews (Director, La Cage – The Birdcage)

Interviewer:
“Let’s talk more about the show curtain. With so much material and a curtain at such a height, can you tell us about the process of getting RothLochston to hang it in their facility?”

Click here to learn more about RothLochston

Amy Edwards:
“The Curtain that we are creating is a design based on Terri’s vision and our set designer Karl Simmons’s design. The Curtain consists of approximately 150 yards of fuchsia pink fabric that has a wavy texture created by the stitching.  An immaculate fabric, visually. Curtains in theatres must be treated with flame proofing, so we have to stitch the widths and lengths together to get the size of curtain we want. After all is said and done it will need to be hung in a large facility so it can be treated properly to be up to code.”

TaDa! Events’ Irma Gerd (Irma Gerd, La Cage – The Birdcage)

Don’t miss out on the family comedy musical of the winter in Newfoundland and Labrador! Click the photo below and get your tickets today!